The Death of Lady Jocelyn Baratheon Targaryen
Rhaenys woke in the dark of the night, as someone â Kezmya â called for her. She shifted the shade on the oil lamp beside her and sat up. âWhat is it?â
âThereâs a raven. From Stormâs End.â
âAnd it cannot wait till the morrow?â Rhaenys asked quietly, but she knew Corlys was a light sleeper and could feel him stir beside her.
âNo, Princess,â Kezmya said and handed over the still sealed scroll.
Rhaenys looked at the wax seal. Not her motherâs usual seal, this was from Borrow, her cousin and Lord of Stormâs End.
âWhat is it?â Corlys asked as he sat up beside her.
âItâs from Stormâs End. Itâs not from Mother,â Rhaenys said, before she broke the wax seal.
It is with the deepest regret that I must deliver this to you by Raven. Your mother, my aunt Lady Jocelyn had a fall in the hour of the rabbit. The fall was brought on by the falling leaves and Lady Jocelyn suffered a wound to the head. Our Maester has been working on her since, but he fears that she will not wake up.
I must urge you to come to Stormâs End. If you come by dragon, do not send a reply by Raven. I will be waiting for you at the hour of the Eel on the landing field east of Stormâs End. If you do not come, send Raven at your earliest convenience. However, I must express the severity of the situation.
Rhaenys read the letter out loud and then reread it twice more. âGet my riding leathers ready. I will depart at once.â She said and turned to Corlys. âWill youâŚâ
â⌠Iâll follow by sea at first light. With Nyssie.â
Rhaenys nodded thankfully and left the letter as she got up to get dressed.
Within the hour, Rhaenys was ready to depart. She was pleased Corlys walked her down to the dragon pit, giving them a moment alone. She leaned against him for a moment, feeling his lips against her forehead. âSail quickly, but securely,â she asked of him, before pressing her lips to his.
The onset of winter was palpable especially when flying at night. The moon and stars were hidden by thick clouds, and the wind was relentless. Rhaenys ducked down low, as Meleys cut through the darkness. Shortly before she could tell they neared land, the rain began and by the time, Rhaenys dismounted Meleys she was soaked to the bone with the ice cold rain. âSĹvegon lenton riĂąalbus,â she said and patted Meleyâs neck.
Rhaenys turned as Meleys soared and met her cousinâs eyes. âCousin,â she greeted him and accepted the furlined cloak he draped over her shoulders. She stepped into the waiting carriage with ease and had just settled when they took off. âHow is she?â
âThereâs been no change,â Borros said with a worried smile. âThe Maester is not optimistic.â
Rhaenys nodded and turned her gaze to the window, though it was still too dark to see anything outside. âThe ground was covered with frost, that hasnât reached Driftmark yet.â
âEven though we are by the coast, the winter is taking hold of the lands. The harvest was smaller than expected and livestock are breeding less. Signs of a long hard winter to come.â
âAre you prepared for the winter?â Rhaenys asked and looked at her cousin.
âI believe so. And you, and Driftmark?â
âWe will manage. Speaking of Driftmark, my lord husband will travel here by sea at first light.
âWe will await his arrival.â
Rhaenys was led to her motherâs bedchamber as soon as she arrived at Stormâs End. She declined changing into dry clothes, wanting to see her mother first.
âMother?â She asked as she kneeled by the bed. Her mother was paler than she remembered, there was an eerie stillness to her being, but her chest rose and fell steadily, albeit slowly.
One of Lady Jocelynâs ladies in waiting helped Rhaenys change clothes and brought her some warm soup and a glass of strong spirits. Rhaenys thanked her and settled down close by the bed as she ate the soup and drank the spirits, feeling warmth spread from within.
By the hour of the owl Rhaenys noticed a shift in her motherâs breathing. Breaks filled with silence as she waited for her mother to take the next breath. Rhaenys sat down on the edge of the bed and took her motherâs hand. âIâm here Mother,â she said softly.
The maesters came just as the hour of the wolf began, but before it ended Lady Jocelyn drew her last breath.
Rhaenys remained still, holding her motherâs hand as tears rolled down her face. While she and her mother had had a troublesome relationship for years, the last decade had mended many old wounds and they had grown to be close friends.
âMy deepest condolences, cousin,â Borros said as he came to see them. âI must ask about funeral arrangementsâŚâ
Rhaenys wiped her face and looked up. âMy Mother has always been adamant that sheâs a Baratheon, but I know she would want a to be interred at Dragonstone beside my Kepa.â
âA Targaryen funeral pyre at Dragon Stone? I shall ask the Silent Sisters to prepare Lady Jocelyn for this.â Â
Rhaenys watched as her cousin leaned down and placed a kiss to her motherâs forehead, she couldnât make out what he said, but his words felt warm and loving.
âMy daughterâs will want to say their farewells, if you will allow them to.â
âOf course. I will stay with her until the Silent Sisters take her to prepare her for her last journey. Then I must ask to be allowed to send ravens. To The Queen and to the Prince and Princess of Dragonstone.â
âI will see to it, cousin.â
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